Furniture chain Land of Leather has called in the administrators.

The Kent-based business - which employs more than 850 staff - has been struggling for a number of months because of poor sales caused by the falling property market.

The announcement comes shortly after the firm, which has its head office in Northfleet, asked the stock exchange to suspend its shares.

It requested the move pending clarification of the company's financial position.

The firm's shares were suspended at less than 3 pence - valuing the entire company at just over a million pounds.

And today the company's website was unavailable.

Last week rival chain Sofa Workshop said it had begun moves to appoint administrators because sales of its furniture were declining due to a tumbling property market.

The furniture retailers add their names to a growing list of retailers which have called in administrators including Woolworths, Zavvi, The Officers Club, Viyella and Adams.